Surprise of the Week — Latest Updates

OVAN’s “Church OPPA” Drops Just After Military Enlistment

OVAN (오반) got married in December, enlisted in the army in February, and released his second studio album, Church OPPA, on March 13.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloMarch 16, 2025OVANComment

Outsider Spits Crazy Fast In His Twentieth Anniversary Album HISTORIA

One of the fastest spitting rappers on the Korean scene is back with his fifth studio album HISTORIA.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloMarch 2, 2025Outsider, K-hiphop/R&BComment

ASH ISLAND’s “Ghost of You” Starts With a Bang and Keeps You Hooked

On February 10, rapper and singer-songwriter ASH ISLAND (애쉬 아일랜드)’s latest single, “Ghost of You,” dropped like a bomb and is blowing up in the charts.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloFebruary 16, 2025ASH ISLAND, K-hiphop/R&BComment

Isaac Hong’s “Lovers” Is The Sweeping Ballad We Needed

Competition is hard when it comes to emotional ballads on the Korean music scene, but with “Lovers” Isaac Hong proved once more he can hold his own.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloFebruary 2, 2025Issac HongComment

RIIZE Pay Homage to TVXQ With a New Take on “Hug”

The boyband kicks off the new year with a sweet cover of a K-Pop milestone that only needs one listen to be added to your playlist.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloJanuary 19, 2025RIIZE, SM Entertainment, Boy GroupsComment

Enjoy “carp bread”: Yes, It’s A Song About Fish Bread, And It’s Precious

Bumjin’s “carp bread” might not be poised to replicate the success of BIBI’s “Bam Yang Gang” last year, but it's precious nonetheless.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloJanuary 5, 2025Bumjin, Indie/UndergroundComment

K-Pop Artists Broaden Their Horizons by Singing Pokémon Anime Themes

K-Pop artists have caught the attention of showrunners for the Pokémon anime, which has featured aespa, IVE, ZEROBASEONE, and NCT WISH singing themes for the latest series in Asia.

Surprise of the WeekJacob Aron LeungDecember 22, 2024aespa, IVE, ZEROBASEONE, NCT WISHComment

Three Festive Songs to Brighten Your Holidays: Car, the garden, Chungha, and Yunsae

It’s the holiday season, and surely, we have all marveled at Seoul’s beauty under the snow, which is featured in countless reels playing “First Snow” by EXO.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloDecember 8, 2024Yunsae, Car the Garden, Kim ChunghaComment

Ahn Yeeun is back with Tales From A Wanderer

A unique voice and an unmistakable blend of old and new: Ahn Yeeun (안예은) is back with Tales From A Wanderer, her latest EP.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloNovember 24, 2024Ahn YeeunComment

Here's How Hitting “30” Sounds, According to Sungjin

All the things he went through in his 20s, as seen when hitting the “30” milestone: that’s what Sungjin’s album 30 is all about.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloNovember 10, 2024Sungjin, DAY6Comment

Sunwoojunga Breaks Free in Beyond [2. White Shade]

On October 18, Sunwoojunga released the second part of her concept album Beyond, titled Beyond [2. White Shade], marking the culmination of her journey towards freedom.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloOctober 27, 2024Sunwoojunga, Indie/UndergroundComment

From Pachinko to Jazz: Minha Kim's Allure Glows in “Letter”

Minha Kim (김민하), the star of Apple TV+ juggernaut K-Drama Pachinko, is not only an outstanding actor but also an excellent singer, as proved in her latest single, “Letter.”

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloOctober 13, 2024Minha Kim, SoloistsComment

Everything About Hwasa’s “O” Is Sizzling Host, And Then Some

It’s clear that with her second mini-album, O, Hwasa intended to leave a mark, and boy, did she nail it once again.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloSeptember 29, 2024Hwasa, MAMAMOOComment

Let’s Go Back in Time with Lee Mujin and SOLE’s Spin on the Iconic K-drama OST “She Is”

Adorable covers of oldies have a charm of their own, and Lee Mujin (이무진) and SOLE (쏠)’s rendition of the iconic K-drama OST “She Is” from the cult classic My Lovely Samsoon is proof of that.

Surprise of the WeekAngelica VianelloSeptember 15, 2024Lee Mujin, SOLEComment